Arsenal should have been put on red-alert after Barcelona have reportedly revealed their transfer-listed players ahead of next season. There are two players that could certainly enhance Mikel Arteta’s team ahead of next season.
According to Spanish news outlet MARCA, there are nine Barcelona players who are deemed surplus to requirements next season. Amongst those on the list are Memphis Depay and Frenkie De Jong who would certainly be excellent acquisitions for Arsenal.
The Gunners will need to strengthen in the forward and midfield departments ahead of next season. Arteta’s side are set to be left short in both areas of the field, which also coincides with a lack of quality.
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If Alexandre Lacazette does depart the club, then Depay would certainly be a good backup option for Arsenal. The Gunners will need to sign two forwards due to a major shortage in the forward position
West Ham and Crystal Palace are hopeful of signing Eddie Nketiah on a free transfer in the summer. Patrick Vieira failed to lure him to Selhurst Park at the start of this season, with the two clubs unable to agree on a fee, but this will no longer be an issue.
If he does depart, along with Lacazette, then Folarin Balogun would be the only remaining striker at the club, meaning two striker signings may be required to combat the need for greater squad depth if Arsenal secure a return to the Champions League.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, the Gunners are looking at making a move for Barcelona forward Memphis Depay. The Dutchman has fallen out of favour at the Camp Nou since Xavi Hernandez took control of the club.
Depay had a failed spell in the Premier League at Manchester United, but he has since then grown as a player and has matured which has allowed him to occupy the striker role. Since leaving the Red Devils, the Dutchman scored 76 goals for the French side Lyon, and 10 goals in 30 appearances for Barcelona.
Arsenal could also be left short in midfield this summer. football.london understands that Roma are expected to make a fresh attempt to sign Granit Xhaka at the end of the season.
De Jong would be an excellent signing by Arsenal and it is a deal they should be pursuing. The Gunners will need strengthening in the midfield position, and the Dutchman would be an ideal candidate judging by the types of midfielders that Edu has been targeting ahead of next season, and the fact that he is available for such a bargain.
According to Spanish outlet El Chringuito, Barcelona could let the Dutchman leave for £58m this summer. The club no longer considers him an indispensable member of the squad. Speaking to Voetbal International back in 2019, he said: "I actually thought Arsenal was pretty beautiful in the past.
"In my mind, I have had the following list for a long time: Ajax-Arsenal-Barcelona, call it the Marc Overmars route. But yes, if you can go directly to Barcelona, then you are also right where you want to be. Faster than you ever dared to dream."
The acquisitions of De Jong and Depay would certainly make sense from an Arsenal point of view. Both players would enhance Arteta’s squad and it is a double deal that Edu should look to explore.
